DX Exhaust upgrades
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Manteca, CA
DX Exhaust upgrades
So I've been looking around online and have been asking my dealer about what I need to know when adding new slip ons and what not. It seems there are two different answers out there. I have a 09 Night Rod Spec. Im not really into tricking out the performance of the bike, just want the exhaust louder. Ive looked at the V&H widow slip ons and also the Thunder header exhaust. Either way, online tells me that I need a new tune for the engine if I do anything. The Dealership says I only need the tune if I upgrade to a High flow Air Filter as well. Whats the Deal? I know these bikes are a bit different than most Harley's because of their water cooled nature and design. Any help is appreciated.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 1
From: Rockies
The dealer is correct. Typically, the FI only needs to be tweaked if modifying the air intake and/or header pipes. If you just swap mufflers most FI systems can accomodate. Like you, I'm not into heavy mods. I just swapped the stock exhaust cans for the Supertrapp Fatshots. Read somewhere they are the biggest selling exhaust upgrade for the DX. Can understand why... a richer/deeper tone, great performace with those tunable discs (8-10 depending on altitude), less weight, sweet appearance. Now after two years with them, would do the same thing without hesitation... just place them, no other mods.
Can hear them in the ride vid here: http://www.farson.com/video/dxjuniper.wmv (esp at around 2:00)
Appearance...
Can hear them in the ride vid here: http://www.farson.com/video/dxjuniper.wmv (esp at around 2:00)
Appearance...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis, MN
The only slip-ons I would suggest doing without a tuner would be SuperTrapp like in the pic above. If you run 8-10 discs it doesn't need tuning. They are not extremely loud like the thunderheader but they do have a nice rumble that is definately louder than stock. The beauty of the tuner is that it really wakes these bikes up and they feel much stronger.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Manteca, CA
The dealer is correct. Typically, the FI only needs to be tweaked if modifying the air intake and/or header pipes. If you just swap mufflers most FI systems can accomodate. Like you, I'm not into heavy mods. I just swapped the stock exhaust cans for the Supertrapp Fatshots. Read somewhere they are the biggest selling exhaust upgrade for the DX. Can understand why... a richer/deeper tone, great performace with those tunable discs (8-10 depending on altitude), less weight, sweet appearance. Now after two years with them, would do the same thing without hesitation... just place them, no other mods.
The only slip-ons I would suggest doing without a tuner would be SuperTrapp like in the pic above. If you run 8-10 discs it doesn't need tuning. They are not extremely loud like the thunderheader but they do have a nice rumble that is definately louder than stock. The beauty of the tuner is that it really wakes these bikes up and they feel much stronger.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
Getting the bike tuned is not really "tricking it out", it's pretty standard for both the Air-Cooled, and V-Rods to have a high-flow A/C put on, and have it tuned. The factory tune is relatively weak.
My guess, is that you'll end up doing it sooner or later, and you'll save money by doing it all at once, and getting the exhaust (slip-on or full-system) you really want off the bat, getting a high-flow A/C and a tune.
My guess, is that you'll end up doing it sooner or later, and you'll save money by doing it all at once, and getting the exhaust (slip-on or full-system) you really want off the bat, getting a high-flow A/C and a tune.
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Manteca, CA
Thanks for the info. So how do these bikes do with non-baffled exhaust or straight pipe? I was told they need to be somewhat baffled to keep the backpressure, which the engine needs in order to run better.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
Baffles are good for sound control.
Maximum performance is achieved at maximum exhaust velocity at a given engine speed. No pipe is perfect for all engine speeds. 2>1s are the best, and great the widest powerband.
Baffles slow exhaust velocity.
Straight-pipes are pretty low-tech, and are not ideal for anything. They will produce the closest thing you'll get to a traditional Harley sound. You will loose power vs. stock 2>1>2
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
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From: Manteca, CA
ok. think I have a good idea on where to start now. Thanks fo rthe help. The thunderheaders sure are loud but im not sure its for me (also considering CA's stupid SMOG laws coming out soon). I like the look of the SuperTrapp slipons. I think I'll do that and the high flow air filter and get my dealer to put on the SE tune and see how it goes. I can always add on a fueler after that if things aren't working out. Now to go check out the Forums and figure out the whole "topless" thing. 
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
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From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
ok. think I have a good idea on where to start now. Thanks fo rthe help. The thunderheaders sure are loud but im not sure its for me (also considering CA's stupid SMOG laws coming out soon). I like the look of the SuperTrapp slipons. I think I'll do that and the high flow air filter and get my dealer to put on the SE tune and see how it goes. I can always add on a fueler after that if things aren't working out. Now to go check out the Forums and figure out the whole "topless" thing.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: aurora,colorado
The dealer is correct. Typically, the FI only needs to be tweaked if modifying the air intake and/or header pipes. If you just swap mufflers most FI systems can accomodate. Like you, I'm not into heavy mods. I just swapped the stock exhaust cans for the Supertrapp Fatshots. Read somewhere they are the biggest selling exhaust upgrade for the DX. Can understand why... a richer/deeper tone, great performace with those tunable discs (8-10 depending on altitude), less weight, sweet appearance. Now after two years with them, would do the same thing without hesitation... just place them, no other mods.
Can hear them in the ride vid here: http://www.farson.com/video/dxjuniper.wmv (esp at around 2:00)
Appearance...
Can hear them in the ride vid here: http://www.farson.com/video/dxjuniper.wmv (esp at around 2:00)
Appearance...